'A fast-paced game': Women face tough challenge at RB Leipzig

Pätzold, who returns to the dugout after serving a suspension, has great respect for RB Leipzig given the exceptional strength at home of the team in fifth place (16 points). "Leipzig are very physical particularly at home, can compete at a high tempo and play a very direct style of football typical of RB. They are very aggressive against the ball, challenge a lot and have high individual quality in attack and good build-up play," he said: "It will be a big challenge for us. We are extremely motivated to break that run – and we want to remain unbeaten away from home."

The fact that the Leverkusen Women have their best return in the Hinrunde in their Bundesliga history on 20 points with two games to play is reason enough to be confident. "We don't want to sit on that but instead it motivates us even more to be successful," said Pätzold: "We want to get the maximum number of points up to the winter break." The game in Leipzig is followed by the DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie against Turbine Potsdam (Friday, 22 November, 18.00 CET) and the two league home games against VfL Wolfsburg on Friday, 6 December (18.30 CET) plus the Rückrunde opener against SC Freiburg on Saturday, 14 December (12.00 CET).

First of all, the full focus is on the final away game in 2024. "The RB style of play could suit us as we take a similar approach," said Pätzold: "We can compete with their tempo and high intensity. I'm expecting a fast-paced game where it will come down to us being similarly effective as we have been recently. The away games have shown that RB can be beaten and we will be guided by that." The coach is expecting "proactive and ambitious opponents," but also added: "We want to stop them playing, press with courage and defend responsibly at the same time. We have to master that balancing act."

As in recent weeks he will again have to manage withoutSofia Cava Marin (cruciate), Synne Skinnes Hansen (thigh) and Vanessa Haim (back). Melissa Friedrich and Paulina Bartz continue in rehab training.

information for away fans

Away fans can support the Werkself at the game on Sunday night: The stadium at the Leipzig academy opens one hour before kick-off at 17.30 CET with entrance by cashless payment only. The away section is in Blocks 1, 2 (standing) and 3 (seats) and the matchday ticket office is at the entrance to the south stand. Fan paraphernalia must be registered with and approved by the fan liaison officer for the RB Women, Tim Scharf (Tim.Scharf@redbulls.com). Flags over two metres big are not permitted and fan materials producing noise such as drums, rattles and horns are currently banned. As usual, the two streaming providers MagentaSport and DAZN will broadcast the match live.